A semester abroad in the USA is a stay outside the EU. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not apply there, so you need your own cover. Entry also requires a visa with a prior confirmation of admission from your host university. This guide shows what you should check regarding insurance, documents and costs.
In short
In the USA the European Health Insurance Card is not enough. You need foreign health insurance that covers treatment and repatriation. For study at a US university, a visa in category F-1 is usually required, and for an exchange programme a J-1. The SEVIS fee and the visa fee together come to US$535 for F-1 and US$405 for J-1. At some consulates, a Visa Integrity Fee of US$250 has been added since May 2026.
Does my German health insurance stay in place?
A stay in the USA does not automatically end your German insurance. Whether your statutory insurance is suspended, continues or ends during the semester is something you need to clarify with your health insurer. Student insurance depends on your enrolment, so you should have this answered in writing before you leave. Whether the insurance pays out in the USA is a different question. For that you need foreign health insurance that you arrange yourself. The legal basis is section 5(1) no. 9 SGB V.
If you enter on a J-1 visa, 22 CFR 62.14 requires health insurance with at least US$100,000 for medical benefits per accident or illness, US$25,000 for repatriation in the event of death and US$50,000 for medical evacuation. The deductible may be at most US$500 per accident or illness. For F-1, the host university often sets its own requirements.
Which documents do I need for a semester abroad in the USA?
For the visa application, the US embassy requires a document confirming your admission from the host university, proof that you can cover all study, living and travel costs, and the online form DS-160. The source does not name a fixed sum for proof of funds.
- F-1: Form I-20 of the host university, registered with the university in SEVIS
- J-1: certificate of participation in the exchange programme
- Proof of funding for all costs of the stay; the source names no fixed sum
- SEVIS fee (Form I-901): US$350 for F-1, US$220 for J-1
- Visa fee: US$185. The form DS-160 itself does not state its own fee on the source page
What does the semester cost?
Costs depend heavily on the host university, the type of accommodation and the location. The sources of the US State Department and Homeland Security do not state an amount for living costs, so no monthly figure is given here. Also plan for flights, foreign health insurance, the semester fee of your home university and any tuition fees of the host university. Tuition fees for visiting students vary by university and exchange agreement, and no verified amount is available for them.
Worked example: The mandatory fees for F-1 come to US$535: the US$350 SEVIS fee plus the US$185 visa fee. For J-1 they are US$220 plus US$185, so US$405. If the US$250 Visa Integrity Fee is added, the amounts rise to US$785 and US$655 respectively. Living costs and length of stay depend on the host university and programme, so we do not state a total here.
Frequently asked questions
Does my European Health Insurance Card apply in the USA?
No. The card only applies in the states of the European Economic Area and in Switzerland. In the USA you need your own cover.
Do I need a visa for a semester in the USA?
For study at a university with admission, a student visa is usually required, with the Form I-20 as proof of admission (F-1). For an exchange programme, the J-1 may be the right category. The embassy determines which category applies to you.
How should I proceed now?
- Clarify with your health insurer whether and how your insurance continues during the semester.
- Take out foreign health insurance that covers treatment and repatriation. For J-1, the minimum sums under 22 CFR 62.14 must be met.
- Apply for the visa in good time, pay the SEVIS fee and the visa fee, and have the current fees confirmed by the embassy.
- Budget for living costs with a buffer, as soon as an amount from a reliable source is available.
Sources, each retrieved 20 October 2026:
- U.S. Department of State, Student Visa (F-1, M-1, I-20, visa fee US$185, proof of funds): https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, I-901 SEVIS fee (US$350 for F-1, US$220 for J-1). The page carries no validity date: https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901
- 22 CFR § 62.14 (Insurance), eCFR: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-62/subpart-A/section-62.14
- Visa Integrity Fee, notice from the Boston University ISSO of 19 May 2026 (US$250, charged at some consulates): https://www.bu.edu/isso/2026/05/19/visa-integrity-fee/
- EducationUSA, Finance your studies (no amount for living costs): https://educationusa.state.gov/your-5-steps-us-study/finance-your-studies
- Study in the States, Financial Ability (no amount): https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/prepare/financial-ability
- European Commission, European Health Insurance Card (scope): https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/moving-working-europe/eu-social-security-coordination/frequently-asked-questions/faq-social-security-european-health-insurance-card_en
- Section 5(1) no. 9 SGB V in its current version.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
Editorial team: Academycon
You can find the online check at check.academycon.de.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide provides general information and does not replace individual advice.
